Injured in an Uber or Lyft Crash in Tarrant County? We Can Help.
Fort Worth has seen an explosion in rideshare usage over the last decade. From students catching a ride to TCU, to tourists visiting the Stockyards, to business travelers heading to DFW Airport, Uber and Lyft are now a staple of our local transportation. But with more rideshare vehicles on the road, accidents have become increasingly common.
If you have been injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or a driver of another car you are likely facing a confusing legal battle.
Who is responsible?
Do I sue the driver or the billion-dollar tech company?
Whose insurance pays for my medical bills?
The answers are rarely simple. You need a dedicated Fort Worth Uber & Lyft accident attorney to cut through the red tape. At Deon Goldschmidt Attorneys, we specialize in untangling these complex corporate policies to ensure you get the maximum payout possible.
Why Rideshare Accidents Are Different From Regular Car Wrecks
The "Million-Dollar" DifferenceIn a standard car accident, you are limited by the at-fault driver's personal insurance policy. In Texas, the state minimum for liability is often only $30,000 per person. If your medical bills exceed that, you could be left paying out of pocket.
However, rideshare accidents are unique. Because Uber and Lyft are commercial entities, they are required by law to carry much larger insurance policies—often up to $1 million in liability coverage. This is good news for victims, but there is a catch: Accessing that money is incredibly difficult. Rideshare companies will fight tooth and nail to deny that their policy applies to your specific accident. They often argue that the driver was an "independent contractor" or was "off the clock" at the moment of impact to avoid paying out.
This is why you need an experienced attorney. We know how to prove the driver’s status and force the big insurance carriers to honor their policies.
Navigating the "Insurance Periods" of a Rideshare Claim
One of the most confusing aspects of these cases is that coverage depends entirely on what the driver was doing the exact second the crash occurred. Our attorneys will analyze the driver's app logs to determine which "Period" applies to your case:
Period 0 (App is Off): If the driver is not logged into the Uber/Lyft app, they are just a regular person driving their own car. Only their personal auto insurance applies.
Period 1 (App is On, Waiting for a Ride): The driver is logged in but has not accepted a passenger yet. Rideshare companies provide limited liability coverage here (usually significantly less than the $1 million policy), but it kicks in if the driver's personal insurance denies the claim.
Period 2 (En Route to Passenger): The driver has accepted a ride and is on the way to pick someone up. The full $1 million commercial policy is now in effect.
Period 3 (Passenger in Car): The passenger is in the vehicle. The full $1 million policy applies to both the passenger and any third parties hit by the rideshare driver.
Determining exactly when the crash happened relative to the app status is vital. We subpoena the digital data to lock in the highest possible coverage for you.
$6.5 MILLION WON
Auto Collision
$3.95 MILLION WON
Auto Collision
$2.7 MILLION WON
Dog Bite
$3.95 MILLION WON
Traumatic Brain Injury
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Fort Worth
While Uber and Lyft drivers are vetted, they are not professional chauffeurs. They are subject to the same errors as anyone else, often compounded by the pressure of the job.
1. Distracted Driving (The "App" Factor)
This is the leading cause of rideshare collisions. Drivers are constantly interacting with their phones to accept rides, check GPS navigation, or look for passengers. Taking eyes off the road for just five seconds at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded. In busy areas like West 7th or Downtown Fort Worth, this distraction can be deadly.
2. Driver Fatigue
Many rideshare drivers work long hours, or they drive for Uber/Lyft as a "side hustle" after working a full 8-hour shift at another job. Drowsy driving slows reaction times almost as much as drunk driving. We investigate how long the driver had been logged in to check for violations of rest-break policies.
3. Unfamiliarity with Fort Worth Roads
Rideshare drivers often chase "surge pricing" in neighborhoods they don't know well. A driver unfamiliar with the construction on I-35W or the confusing exits on Loop 820 is more likely to make sudden, dangerous maneuvers, such as illegal U-turns or sudden stops to drop off passengers.
4. Speeding and Reckless Driving
Because drivers are paid by the trip, they are incentivized to get passengers to their destination as fast as possible so they can pick up the next fare. This "rush" mentality often leads to speeding, running yellow lights, and aggressive lane changes.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Crash
If you are involved in a wreck with a rideshare vehicle, your actions in the first hour can make or break your case.
FIRST: Prioritize Safety & Health: Check yourself and others for injuries. If you are in pain, do not try to "tough it out." Adrenaline can mask severe injuries like whiplash or internal bleeding. Call 911 and request an ambulance if needed.
SECOND: Gather Evidence at the Scene:
Screenshots: If you were the passenger, screenshot your ride status in the app immediately to prove you were on an active trip.
Info Exchange: Get the driver’s personal insurance info and the rideshare insurance info found in their app.
Photos: Take wide shots of the street and close-ups of the damage.
THIRD: File Official Reports:
Police Report: Ensure Fort Worth PD creates an official accident report.
Rideshare Report: Report the accident to Uber or Lyft through the app, but do not give a recorded statement to their insurance team until you speak to a lawyer.
FOURTH: Call Deon Goldschmidt Attorneys: Do not accept a quick cash offer from the insurance company. They want to settle cheap before you realize the full extent of your injuries. Call us first.
What Damages Can You Recover?
A severe accident can derail your life. Our goal is to make you "whole" again financially. We fight to recover three main types of damages:
01. Economic Damages (Tangible Losses) This covers the actual money you have lost or will lose.
Medical bills (ER visits, surgeries, physical therapy).
Lost wages (time off work to recover).
Loss of future earning capacity (if you can no longer work the same job).
02. Non-Economic Damages (Quality of Life) These damages compensate you for the human cost of the accident.
Physical pain and suffering.
Mental anguish and PTSD (fear of driving).
Physical disfigurement or scarring.
Loss of consortium (impact on your relationship with your spouse).
03. Punitive Damages (Punishment) In rare cases where the driver’s actions were malicious or grossly negligent (such as driving while intoxicated or physically assaulting a passenger), we may seek punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer directly.
Why Choose Our Fort Worth Legal Team?
We Win or You Don't Pay. At Deon Goldschmidt Attorneys, we believe everyone deserves top-tier legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. We work on a contingency fee basis.
$0 Upfront Costs.
$0 Retainer Fees.
$0 Hourly Bills.We only get paid if we win your case. If we don't recover money for you, you owe us nothing.
Don't Let the Insurance Companies Win. If you have been hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, you have rights. Let us fight the corporate lawyers while you focus on healing.